Home Sweet Home

EAST PEORIA — For the first time since the program started 13 years ago the mens and womens soccer teams will be playing on campus.

“We are thrilled to finally have soccer on campus,” said Athletic Director Sue Sinclair. “Hopefully that is going to bring some excitement to the students on campus. People [are] getting the chance to be here where the atmosphere can be a little more personalized than what it would have been at EastSide.”

The womens soccer teams first game was on Aug. 16 and it was the annual alumni game.

“Fantastic, last night was the first time that we got on it,” said womens coach Emily Points about the new facility. “They have done a great job. The college as a whole has been wanting us to come here. We are so happy to be on campus for the fans, the community and the girls.”

The mens first game was that same evening and mixed reviews came in from mens head coach Oz Bakirdan that evening about the pitch.

“Good, I think the grass was a little tall needed to be shorter,” said Bakirdan about the new pitch.

Both coaches spoke about what the new field presents to both teams and what it will mean for the program.

Bakirdan said, “Hopefully have more fans coming to the games, you saw that today and we look forward to playing here.”

Points said, “I think it doesn’t translate to more wins but to a better atmosphere, where more students and parents can come here to watch us play. People working out at the Fitness Center can see us playing and come out and watch the game.”

Coaches and players both want to see their fans out at the games.